Carton and blank for forming the same



April 27, 1937. KQND'QLF 2,078,907

CARTON AND BLANK FOR FORMING THE SAME Filed June 1, 1933 La-wf/M/Ry Kw; 04F I 55 BY ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 27, 1937 @ARTON AND BLANK FUR FOR 9 Henry Kondoli', New York, N. ll assignor to Southern Kraft Corporation, New York, N. Y a corporation of Delaware Application June 1, 1933, Serial No. 673,807

8 Claims.

My invention relates to cartons and blanks for forming the'same, made' from corrugated board, carboard or the like, such as are used for packaging and shipping various articles and commodities. the provision oi -various improved forms of cartons and more especially closures therefor, by means of which the said cartons may be various- 1y folded to provide enclosures of diflferent sizes, so that a single carton may be adapted to the packaging of articles or commodities of different sizes or in different amounts while still suitably enclosing the contents and preventing the same from shifting, rattling or moving about in the carton.

A further object of my invention is to provide a carton or package adapted to be employed for packaging rigid articles of difierent sizes, whereby a single size of carton may be variously employed for the packaging of articles, such as dishes and glassware of varying sizes.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a carton having closure means adapted to be variously folded in order to vary the contents or capacity of the package when the closure has been applied.

My invention has for further objects such additional improvements nd advantages as may hereinafter be found to o tain.

According to my invention, cartons of various types, preferably formed from blanks out from continuous sheets or webs of suitable material, are provided with closure elements consisting of flaps formed from the sheets or webs which constitute the carton blank and forming integral parts of such blanks, which flaps are provided with suitably disposed score lines and notches or other locking means and are so disposed with respect to the remaining portions of the blank that they may be folded into different positions according to the size or amount of the materials to be contained within the cartons. The notches or other locking means are so made that the closure flaps may be secured in any of the different positions in order to make a firm and sufi'iciently rigid closure.

My invention may best be described and explained with reference to specific cartons and blanks therefor, and I therefore now describe, with reference to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification, various forms and manners in which my invention may be embodied, but without limiting myself to such illustrative exemplifications.

In the drawing,

My invention has for an object Fig. 1 is a view of a blank for forming a carton which is especially adapted to contain a plurality of dishes or other rigid articles of commerce;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a carton formed from a blank illustrated in Fig. l, the carton being shown in a partly closed condition ready to receive articles to be packaged therein;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the carton illustrated in Fig. 2, being shown in this instance in a fully closed condition;

Fig. 4 is'a sectional view of the carton illustrated in Fig. 3, taken on the line IVIV of Fig. 3; v

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a carton similar to that shown in Fig. 3 but with the closure elements illustrated in a difierent position;

Fig. 6 is a sectional viewvof the carton as shown in Fig. 5 taken on the line VI-VI of Fig. 5.

Similar reference numerals designate similar parts in each of the several views of the drawing.

With the exception of the closure elements constituting the subject matter of my present invention, the blank and carton illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, is similar to a carton set forth and described in my co-pending application Serial Number 636,481 filed October 6, 1932, and especially adapted for the packaging of fiat chinaware articles such as plates, saucers and the like, although capable of use for packaging many difierent types of articles. However, whereas the carton illustrated in my aforesaid copending application, once the blank had been out, was adapted for the packaging of a plurality of plates or the like of only one size, according to my present invention the carton may variously be folded to provide enclosures of diiferent sizes for the purpose of accommodating articles of other sizes.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, it will be seen that I provide a blank having a central panel l which is adapted to constitute the base or bottom of the carton when formed. The central panel B is of rectangular shape and is defined by score lines 2, 3, l and 5.

Adjoining the panel I along the score lines 2 and t I provide side panels 6 and 7, respectively. The sides of the panel 6, which are at right angles to the score line 2, are defined by score lines 8 and 9, which are substantially in alignment with, and form extensions of, the score lines 3 and 5, respectively. Along the score lines 8 and 9 I provide side extension panels or inner side walls in and l l, respectively which are in turn adjoined along score lines l2 and I3 by end flaps it and i5, respectively. The end flaps M and The sides of the panel 1 at right angles to the I score line 4 are defined by score lines 20 and 2| which are substantially in alignment with, and form extensions of, the score lines 3 and 5, respectively. Adjoining the side panel 1 along score lines 20 and 2|, I provide relatively narrow spacing panels 22 and 23, the lengths of which are somewhat shorter than the length of the side panel 1. The panels 22 and 23 are in turn adjoined along score lines 24 and 25 by partitioning panels 26 and 2 l, which are in turn adjoined along score lines 28 and 29 by spacing panels 36 and 3 the dimensions of which are similar to those of panels 22 and 23.

Adjoining the central panel l along the score lines 3 and 5, I provide exterior side panels 32 and 33, respectively, which are in turn adjoined along score lines 34 and 35 by cover flaps 36 and 31, having notches 38 and 39, respectively, and also provided with score lines 40, 4|, 42 and 43. The score lines 40 and 4| are parallel to and very closely spaced from the score lines 34 and 35, respectively, while the score lines 42 and 43 are in turn parallel to the score lines 40 and 4| and spaced therefrom by a distance equal to or a little less than the difierence between the lengths of the panels 22 and 23 and the panel 1. Extending outwardly from the four corners of the central panel I, I provide straight cuts 44 and 45 which are in alignment with and form extensions of the score line 2 and cuts 46 and 41 which form extensions of the score line 4. The cuts 44 and 46 separate the panel 32 from the panels In and 26, respectively, while the cuts 45 and 41 separate the panel 33 from the panels II and 21, respectively.

In this instance, in which the partitions formed bythe panels 26 and 21 are intended to traverse the carton in planes parallel to the sides l0 and II when the latter have been bent at right angles to the central panel I the following relationship should exist between the dimensions of the several panels: The dimension a of the panels 32 and 33 should equal the dimension D of the panels 6 and 1 and the panels adjoining the panel 6 along the score lines 8 and 9; the dimension 0 of panels 26 and 21, as well as the dimension d of panels In and l I should equal the dimension e of the central panel I; the dimension of the spacing panels 22, 23, 30 and 3| should preferably be equal to about one-third of the dimension g of the central panel I the dimension h, which represents the distance between the score line 34 or 35 and the extreme inner point of the notch 38 or 39, should be about equal to one-half of the dimension 9 of the central panel I; the dimension k which separates the score lines 34 and 35 from the score lines 40 and 4|, respectively, is made merely sufficient to provide for the thickness of the material from which the blank is formed, when, for example, the panel 32 and the flap 36 are bent over the upperedge of the side panel III as illustrated in Fig. 6.

The dimension 1 which separates the score lines 40 and 4| from the score lines 42 and 43, respectively, as stated herelnabove, must not be greater than the difl'erence between the dimension b of the panel 1 and the dimension m of the panels 22, 23, 26, 21, 30 and 3|.

It should be borne in mind, however, that in planning these dimensions and in cutting and scoring the blank, allowance must be made for the thickness of the material from which the blank is formed. Thus in practice, especially when material of considerable thickness is employed, as will be evident from inspection of Figs. 2'to 6, the actual dimension 0 of the panels 26 and 21 will be slightly smaller than the dimension d of panels I9 and I, due to the fact that the panels 26 and 21 are intended to form longitudinal partitioning members lying within a partial enclosure formed by the'panels 6,1, l0 and H.

It will be further observed that, especially when material of considerable thickness is employed, such score lines, as have been stated hereinabove are substantially in alignment with each other or form extensions of each other, may actually be slightly ofiset at the junction thereof, in order to allow for proper folding of the panels and proper formation of the enclosure. Thus in Fig. 1, I have shown a slight offset between the score lines 3 and 20, which offset is provided in order to permit the panels 1, 22, 26 and 30 to be folded within the enclosure formed by the panels 6, I0, I I, M and 5.

My invention provides for two methods of folding the blank shown in Fig. 1 to form a carton,

which methods of folding result in enclosures of somewhat difierent size to accommodate articles of different size. Thus, when my carton is adapted to be employed for packaging plates or saucers having diameters substantially equal to the dimensions e and f (which in case of circular dishes will, of course, be equal), the blank is bent in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, in order to provide for packaging the plates or saucers. When the carton is formed in this manner, right-angle bends are first made along the score lines 20, 2|, 24, 25, 28 and 29 in such manner as to bring the spacing panels 22 and 23 against the adjacent surfaces of the panel 1, with the panels 26 and 21 at right angles to the panels 22 and 23, and with the spacing panels 30 and 3| parallel to the panels 22 and 23 and extending outwardly. A right-angle bend is then made along the score line 4, which brings the partitions 26 and 21, as well as the spacing panels 22 and 23, 30 and 3|, into the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 2, that is to say, at right angles to the bottom panel I. a A right-angle bend is then made along th score line 2, bringing the side panel 6 into fiat engagement with the panels 30 and 3| and further bends are made along the score lines 8, 9,.

l2 and I3 to bring the panels l0 and II and the flaps I4 and I5 around the partitioning structure formed by the panels 1, 22, 23, 26, 21, 30 and 3|. When the panels l4 and [5 have been carried around the panel 1 they are mutually interlocked by means of the notches l6 and I1, the carton being, at this point, in the condition in which it is shown in Fig. 2. It will be noted that the partitions 26 and 21 do not extend the full height of the panels 6, 1, l0 and II.

The articles to be packaged may now be placed within the carton. Thus, in the instance shown, three saucers or plates or other fiat articles may be placed within the spaces lying between the panels I0, 26, 21 and In order to complete the enclosure, in this instance, right-angle bends are made along the score lines 3, 5, 34 and 35 but the flaps 36 and 31 are not bent along any of the score lines 40 to 43, inclusive. This places the panels 32 and 33 in fiat engagement with the panels l0 and II respectively, and places the cover flaps 36 and 31 in position across the hitherto open end of the enclosure as illustrated in Fla. 3.

By means of the notches 38 and 39, which, in the present instance inter-engage to their full depth, the cover flaps 36 and 3'! are interlocked, and the enclosure or the carton is thereby completed-as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

The carton thus formed needs, for most purposes at least, no additional sealings or wrappings. "The articles packaged within the same are securely held and separated from each other, providing the dimensions of the blank and carton have been suitably designed with respect to the dimensions of the articles to be packed. thus reducing breakage to a minimum. The latter property is also greatly enhanced by the fact that by far the greater portion of the carton is comprised of Walls of more than one thickness of the material. Thus panels ill and 32 cooperate to form a side wall having a thickness equal to twice that of the blank from which the carton is made.

When it is desired to form a carton from the blank illustrated in Fig. 1 to enclose, for example, plates or saucers, the diameters of which are somewhat smaller than the dimensions 2) and e of the carton blank, the blank is first brought into the condition illustrated in Fig. 2 as before, and right-angles bends are made along the "score lines, 3, 5, 34 and 35 as in the previous instance. However, in this instance, as is clearly illlustrated in Fig. 6, additional bends are made along score lines and 4| and oppositely along score lines t2 and 43, thus bringing the larger portions of the flaps 36 and 31 lying beyond the score lines 42 andt3, respectively, below the top of the carton and closeto or in actual engagement with the tops of the partitions 26 and 27. By properly dimensioning the blank, and more particularly the flaps 36 and 3 1, it will be found that the flaps 36 and ill may then be engaged in the -manner illlustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. It will be seen from these figures that, in this instance, the extreme end of the panel 36 engages and locks against the notch 39, while the extreme edge of the flap 3? similarly engages and loclm against the notch 38? thus providing an interlocked enclosure which, especially when the blank from which the carton is formed is made of material of substantial thickness such as corrugated board, is remarkably rigid and tight. It should be observed, that in order to bring about this condition of tightness the sum of the dimension n (which indicates the depth of the notches 38 and 39) plus twice the dimension p (which indicates the distance between the score lines 42 and t3 and the notches 38 and 39, respectively) should be made substantially equal" to the dimension 9- of the central panel Q. When this relation is adhered to, the closure formed by the flaps t6 and 31, when bent as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, will be found to be sufficiently strong and rigid to obviate the necessity of providing additional or supplementary closure means. 7

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that while I have illustrated and described my invention with respect to specific illustrative forms of carton under which it may be applied, my invention is not limited to such illustrative exemplifications but may be applied to cartons of various kinds. My invention is not, therefore, limited to the details of the illustrative examples given hereinabove, but may variously be embodied and utilized within the scope of the claims hereinafter made.

I claim: 1. A carton for packaging a plurality of articles such as dishes or the like, formed from a continuous sheet of material, which comprises a pinrality of panels forming an inwardly partioned enclosure open at the top, and outerv sides adapted to complete the enclosure, said outer sides having end flaps scored along a plurality of lines for folding said flaps in different positions according to the contents of the carton.

2. In a carton having opposed walls forming a partial enclosure, flaps carried by two of said walls forming a closure for'one end of said carton and lying in a single plane across said end, said flaps also being provided with score lines on which said flaps may be folded to position a portion of each flap in a plane across said open end but inside the edges of said carton walls.

3. In a carton having opposed walls forming a partial enclosure, flaps carried by two of said walls forming a closure for one end of said car- -ton and lying in a single plane across said end,

said flaps also being provided with score lines on which said flaps may be folded to position a portion of each flap in a plane across said open end but inside the edges of said carton walls, and

means holding said flaps in fixed relation to each other in either of said closing positions.'

4. In a carton having opposed walls forming a partial enclosure, flaps carried by two of said walls forming a closure for one end of said carton and lying in a single plane across said end, said flapsalso being provided with score lines on which said flaps may be folded to position a portion of each flap in a plane across said open end but inside the edges of said carton walls, said flaps being provided with notched portions adapted mutually to engage and look when the flaps are in either of said closing positions.

5. In a carton having opposed walls forming a partial enclosure, flaps carried by two of said walls forming a closure for one end of said carton and lying in a single plane across said'end,

I each of said flaps being provided with a pair of and on which the flap may be folded to position a portion of the flap substantially at right angles to said wall.

6. In a carton having opposed walls forming a partial enclosure, flaps carried by two of said walls forming a closure for one end of said carton and lying in a single plane across said end, each of said flaps being provided with a pair of spaced score lines on which said flap may be folded into closing position to bring a portion of the flap into engagement with the wall carrying the same, and a score line located between said spaced score lines and the outer edge of the flap and on which the flap may be folded to position a portion of the flap substantially at right angles to said wall, and means holding said flaps in fixed relation to each other in either of said closing positions.

7. In a carton having opposed walls forming a partial enclosure, flaps carried by two of said and on which the flap may be folded to position a portion of the flap substantially at right angles to said Well, said flaps also being provided with notched portions adapted mutually to engage and lock when the flaps are in either of said closing positions.

8. In a. carton having opposed walls and a bottom, flaps carried by two of said walls and forming a closure for the open end oi. said carton and lying in a single plane across said open end, each of said flaps being provided with a score line on which said flap may be folded into closing position to bring a portion of said flap into engagement with the wall carrying the same, and a second score line located between said first mentioned score line and the outer end of the flap on which the flap may be folded into position a portion of said flap substantially at right angles to said first mentioned portion, said flaps also being provided with notched portions adapted mutually to engage and lock when the flaps are in either of said closing positions, the position of said second score line being such that the width of the notch plus twice the distance between said score line and the inner end of the notch substantially equals the width of the bottom between the walls carrying the flaps.

1 HENRY KONDOLF. 

